Inflation perks up in June

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Louise Egan, REUTERS

Jul 20, 2012

, Last Updated: 1:48 PM ET

OTTAWA - Inflation climbed in June from a two-year low in May, but the weaker-than-expected report looked unlikely to spur the Bank of Canada to act any time soon on its warning that it could raise interest rates.

Annual inflation rose to 1.5% last month from 1.2% in May, well below the Bank of Canada’s 2% target, according to Statistics Canada data on Friday. A drop in gasoline and natural gas prices partially offset higher prices for passenger vehicles and electricity.

Core inflation, which strips out gasoline and seven other volatile items, came in at 2% from 1.8% in May.

Analysts in a Reuters poll had forecast June inflation at 1.8% and a core rate of 2.3%.

“It looks to be lower than expected pretty much across the board. Not shockingly weak, but definitely well clear of expectations on the low-side on both headline and core,” said Doug Porter, deputy chief economist at BMO Capital Markets.

Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney has broken ranks with his global peers in signalling plans to raise, rather than ease, interest rates as strong domestic spending keeps the economy growing even as the crucial export sector struggles.

The central bank on Tuesday extended a two-year freeze on its benchmark lending rate, holding it steady at 1%, but repeated is hawkish statement that rate hikes “may become appropriate” even as it cut growth and inflation forecasts.

Inflation averaged 1.6% in the second quarter, a notch below the bank’s prediction, while the average core rate was right on the mark at 2%.

“It’s a little bit less of a bounce back than expected going into the report, so I think it might suggest less need for the Bank of Canada to tighten; we might see a little downward pressure on rates and the (Canadian) dollar as well,” said Paul Ferley, assistant chief economist with Royal Bank of Canada.

Inflation is expected to soften further in the third quarter as commodity prices continue to drop from year-ago levels, pushing down the cost of retail gasoline.

The Canadian dollar weakened to a session low of $1.0131, or 98.71 cents US in the wake of the data, down from its close of $1.0078 against the U.S. dollar, or 99.23 cents US on Thursday.

Overnight index swaps, which trade based on expectations for the central bank’s key policy rate, showed that traders slightly increased bets on a rate cut in late 2012 after the inflation data.

However, most economists expect the Bank of Canada’s next move to be a hike. A recent Reuters poll showed the next policy tightening is expected in the second quarter of 2013.